SC disposes RK Imo's petition : 'Will not interfere in case pending at EC
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 19 2018:
Categorically stating the Supreme Court is not inclined to interfere with the election petition filed by Dr Kh Loken Singh at the High Court of Martipur, the apex Court has disposed of a special leave petition filed by Congress MLA RK Imo.
A three-Judge Bench of the Supreme Court comprising of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice DY Chamdrachud today issued an order which disposed a special leave petition filed by RK Imo stating that the apex Court has no intention to interfere with the election petition pending at the High Court of Manipur.
A miscellaneous case (election petition) was filed by MLA RK Imo at the High Court of Manipur challenging another election petition filed by Dr Khwairakpam Loken which sought annulment of the election of RK Imo from Sagolband AC in the 11th Manipur Legislative election.
A Single Bench of Justice Kh Nobin issued an order on December 13 last year which rejected the miscellaneous case filed by RK Imo.
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Notably, INC's RK Imo defeated BJP Kh Loken by a margin of just 19 votes in the 11th State Assembly election held on March 4 last year.
Even though Dr Loken got 10 more votes than his Congress rival when votes registered in EVMs were counted, RK Imo managed to win Sagolband seat as he got 19 more votes after the postal ballots were taken into account.
There were a total of 298 postal ballots.
While Dr Loken got 126 votes from amongst the postal ballots, RK Imo secured 155 votes.
Aggrieved by the process of counting votes, Dr Loken filed an election petition against his rival at the High Court of Manipur on April 24 last year.
Through the petition, Dr Loken challenged the validity of the election result and contended that he was the rightful winner of the election.
RK Imo responded by filing a counter petition which was listed as a miscellaneous case.
Based on a hearing held on November 8, the High Court rejected the miscellaneous case on December 13 last year.
After the High Court of Manipur rejected his petition, RK Imo approached the Supreme Court and filed a special leave petition.
A Division Bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice DY Chandrachud heard the special leave petition on January 25 and stayed the High Court's order.
The apex Court heard the same special leave petition today again and disposed it.
While Senior Advocates PK Goswami and AC Borbora appeared on behalf of Dr Kh Loken, Senior Advocate KV Viswanathan represented RK Imo.